Aims and Scope

Direction of research

My research is rooted in investigating the neuroscientific principles of perception and consciousness. It is centered on understanding how our brain crafts our sense of self and our perception of the world around us. By integrating pharmacology, psychology, and technology, I aim to thoroughly examine the neural mechanisms that underpin consciousness. This involves assessing these mechanisms across a continuum, from the micro to the macro, to provide insights into the intricate nature of subjective experience and its formation through the interplay of nature and nurture.

A key aspect of my research is the symbiotic relationship between enhancing our neuroscientific knowledge of perception and its practical application. Behavioural studies, anchored by neuroimaging techniques, serve as foundational tools. I’m especially driven to understand how interventions, be they practices like meditation or stimuli such as music, influence our subjective experiences. Using neuroimaging to quantify their impacts on emotional and perceptual states grants a clearer perspective of the associated neural mechanisms. This knowledge is instrumental for future applied research that seeks to optimise our human experience.

The linchpin of my approach is the acknowledgment that systems in nature coalesce with nurture to shape perceptions of our selves and the world. It posits that by modifying neural connections and comprehending their association with perception of the tangible world, we can broaden our understanding of self and consciousness. This not only reinforces our grasp of the brain’s intricate workings but also aids in refining our understanding of experiences we often consider distinct from our conscious awareness.